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OPINION

Editorial: Ohio pot issue clearly a monopoly

Imagine the outrage if the following proposal came before Ohio voters.

Instead of allowing every farmer to grow corn, the state’s constitution will now allow only a specific number of people who have invested together to grow the crop on specific properties sprinkled throughout Ohio. Everyone else is out of luck — unless they can spend millions to change the constitution.

Of course, Issue 3 is not about corn. Nor is it completely about marijuana.

Proponents claim Issue 3 would decriminalize marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes, not to mention an opportunity for residents to grow and use four plants a year. If that were 100 percent true, we would welcome the debate knowing public acceptance of marijuana continues to grow based on what’s happened in Colorado and Washington.

But Issue 3 is really about giving a private group that should be called “Irresponsible Ohio” complete control of a new legal marijuana industry in Ohio. These are the same people pushing a green cartoon character named Buddie, who’s clearly targeting children, as they seek pro-marijuana votes.

Issue 3 would limit marijuana farms to 10 locations across Ohio who happen to be owned or controlled by investors in the group backing Issue 3. It would be impossible for anyone else to participate in the growing economy unless they somehow invested in the organizing group. These growers would completely control the marijuana supply provided to newly licensed stores for sale.

Although Husted, as the state’s chief elections officer, must walk the very fine line between taking sides, the people of Ohio deserve the truth, which they’re unlikely to receive in the election advertising.

It may be time to legalize marijuana, but this is clearly the wrong proposal.

Even kids know that, when you own all of the green properties in the game “Monopoly,” it’s time to cash in on everyone else.